Saturday, June 14, 2014

The Seattle Mariners enter Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers with a 34-33 record, third in the American League West. The Mariners, who were shutout on Friday, have struggled offensively, ranked 18th in the Major Leagues in runs scored. The return of Corey Hart should help and the news on the veteran is good, as he is recovering from a hamstring injury. He could be ready for a rehab assignment soon.

Our own PaulF reported on May 21 that Hart was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a Grade two hamstring strain. The initial timetable for his return was 4-to-6 weeks.

An update on Hart, as reported by Bob Dutton of The News Tribune, is that Hart took batting practice on the field for the first time since the injury against the Minnesota Twins on May 18. So far, Hart is pleased with his progress.

“Nothing has been a problem so far. “I think I’m going to
start jogging Saturday. So I’m close (to being ready to begin playing on
a minor-league rehab assignment). I’m excited to get back.”

Hart is batting .209 with five home runs
and 17 RBI this season. He missed all of last year after having
microfracture surgeries on both knees. Hart batted .270 with 30 home
runs and 83 RBI in 2012. In his 10th Major League season, Hart has a
career batting average of .273 with 159 home runs and 525 RBI.